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Wilkinson looking to impress

With a new coach comes new opportunity and Alex Wilkinson is one player delighted to have been presented with a chance to impress the new boss.

With a new coach comes new opportunity and Alex Wilkinson is one player delighted to have been presented with a chance to impress the new boss.

“It was a bit of a surprise for me, a few weeks ago when I got the call,” said Wilkinson.

“I-m probably getting a bit older now at 29 and I probably thought my time had passed by.

“I guess you-re always hopeful and I was playing regularly in Korea each week and the team is doing quite well and I guess that helped me and I-m just really grateful to get a call up.

“I-m just looking forward to the week now, meeting the boys and having a positive week and hopefully it-s not the last time.”

The former Central Coast Mariner has been in Korea-s K-League for the past two seasons with Jeonbuk Motors - his first Socceroo call up a reflection of his contribution to one of Asia-s premier domestic competitions.

“I think the standard is pretty good, the Korean league is a physical league,” said Wilkinson.

“A lot of people don-t think that the Asian leagues are that physical but there-s some really big boys in Korea and it-s fast, it-s played at a high pace and it-s definitely added something different to my game.

“I think playing in the A-League for eight years I thought it was time for a change and I guess going over to a new country where English is the second language and a completely different culture obviously helps you grow not only on the pitch but off the pitch as well.”

The 29-year-old is now in line to make his Socceroos debut, a decade on from his last appearance in green and gold - for the Young Socceroos in the UAE.

“I guess, in a way, it-s familiar, but that was a while ago now and things have changed I suppose,” said Wilkinson.

“For me, this is a completely new environment, I-ve met a few of the boys this morning for the first time and I still haven-t met some.

“I-m just looking forward to being involved with all of the guys, meeting them and learning off them and enjoying the week.”